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LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke
PART 3 - JESUS' MINISTRY IN GALILEE (Luke 4:14 - 9:50)
2. Jesus' Ministry in Capernaum and its Surroundings (Luke 4:31-44)
LUKE 4:42-44
42 When it was day, he departed and went into an uninhabited place, and the multitudes looked for him, and came to him, and held on to him, so that he wouldn’t go away from them. 43 But he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other cities also. For this reason I have been sent.” 44 He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.
Jesus was truly man. He was exhausted by his saving efforts and works, and was tempted by pride because of his successful results against the strong demonic activities. He departed from the multitudes and his disciples, to be alone with his Father, to whom he prayed, pouring out and emptying his heart before him, and seeking his guidance, wisdom, power, authority, patience, love, and continuous kindness. Jesus prayed in the morning, putting his long day at his Father’s service. He would not do any miracle by himself, but everything he did was in full harmony with his Father: “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does” (John 5:19-20).
Jesus prayed in the same way that he taught us: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” He did not say to us: “God forces you to get the blessing. Go and obtain as much as you wish of treasures. All doors are opened to you.” No! He would not say that, but he awakens in us the desire to pray, the striving to believe, and the patience to supplicate. For him, the staying multitudes with their troubled minds and spirits were not a subject for philosophical thought, or a reason for criticism and contempt; rather he loved the poor, and prayed for them. He stood in the midst of the world disasters, and overcame them. Jesus prayed faithfully. This was the reason for his triumph over all evil authorities, for God continues in him because of his thankful spirit and faithful prayer. Without prayer there is no fellowship with the highest. How do you pray? Do you pray continuously for the others, or do you yourself mention only?
The people of Capernaum followed Christ to his place of solitude in the wilderness, and sought him, for they experienced the power of his authority, and wished to, keep him with them. As with the people of Nazareth, so it was again with the people of Capernaum. As with the Nazarene, Christ could not help them, because of their unbelief. However, in spite of the earthly ambition of the people of Capernaum, Christ revealed to them the motive of his heart, the love of God, for he left heaven and became a man to save the repentant.
The love of the Holy One in him made his preaching a holy necessity and duty. Undoubtedly, God is not compelled, but free. However his nature compels him to carry out his will, for his holiness must condemn evil. His love prompts him to sacrifice himself as a substitute for mankind. Christ lived committed to obey the divine will. Many people do not understand this, because they do not actually know God’s nature of love and holiness.
Jesus went to many towns, displaying to them the power of God, bringing to them the gospel of salvation. The healing of the sick was not the only sign of his ministry, but the strange good tidings about the kingdom of God present among men. His heavenly Father is the Almighty , and not Satan, the liar. The Son sought to make people turn to God, so that they might willingly leave the bondage of sin, and become filled with the love of the Highest. The possibilities of the kingdom of the Father were included and hidden in Christ. As the seeds of plants contain their leaves, flowers, and fruits, so the kingdom of grace is today hidden in believers. God calls all creatures to submit willingly, for God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Have you become a citizen of the kingdom of God, submitting yourself to its King?
As the Father sent his Son to spread the kingdom of truth, so the King of Kings calls you that he may equip you with his power and make you a partner in carrying out his constitution plan, as he declared in Nazareth (4:18-19). Did you understand and memorize Christ’s program, and are you carrying it out?
PRAYER: O Lord Jesus Christ, you are my Lord, King, and Owner. Please forgive my selfishness, my seeking to become independent from you, and my disobedience. Teach me spiritual submission. Let the Spirit of your love fill me, and prompt me to preach your word, as you, yourself, were a great preacher.
QUESTION 42: What are the mysteries of the effective ministry of Christ?